The women’s track and field team began competing in outdoor events at the Yellow Jacket Collegiate Outdoor Open March 24-25. As a team, Hillsdale placed fourth with 73 points. Winds reached up to 50 mph during portions of the competition, adding an obstacle to the first outdoor meet of the season.
“I always love a challenge and I think that outdoor track is full of unpredictable weather that really shows your true colors,” junior Louisa Klaserner said. “Being able to compete and overcome those kinds of weather challenges that everyone is facing and come out on top is a great feeling of accomplishment.”
Klaserner took second in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:10.23 minutes, and third in the 100m hurdles with a time of 15.09 seconds.
“I competed in an event I’d never done before and gave it my all, which I was satisfied with,” Klaserner said. “I was happy with my performance, especially considering the conditions.”
The women’s weight throwers had a successful first outdoor meet following several weeks in the number one spot during the indoor season. In the javelin throw, junior Eden Little took first place, throwing 39.32 meters. Senior Nikita Maines took home another first place for the women’s weight throwers, throwing 13.09 meters in the shot put. Finally, sophomore Averi Parker secured third place in the hammer throw after throwing 51.56 meters.
“I would say I gave it my all but I was a little too excited for my first outdoor meet in the javelin this year and I ended up not throwing as well as I hoped because I forgot all of my training leading up to it,” Little said. “But as for hammer, I did very well, throwing a PR even in 50 mph winds.”
Little said she had to alter her strategy to combat the high winds.
“I had to wait between throws to try to throw between the gusts of wind,” Little said. “It didn’t help that I had the jitters so I was not throwing amazingly anyway.”
In the triple jump, sophomore Grace Chen took third with a jump of 9.78 meters.
In the 100 meter dash, freshman Lucy Minning placed fourth, finishing her race in 12.65 seconds. Minning also took sixth in the 200 meter dash with a time of 26.16 seconds.
“My performance this weekend was not too bad,” Minning said. “I did not run too far off my personal best and my form was good, so I am confident I will improve these upcoming weeks. The best moments of my races were probably my starts.”
Sophomore Nicole Marshall took second place in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:25 minutes.
“Nicole Marshall had a very good day,” Minning said. “She ran her race very smart considering the conditions.”
The athletes have several goals for the rest of the outdoor meets. Both Klaserner and Little said they want to make the most of the time they have left in their events.
“I have some big goals for outdoor, such as breaking the school record and competing at nationals with the hope for an all-American,” Little said. “Javelin is my favorite event to compete in and I don’t want to waste a second.”
Minning’s goals are more centered on the specific times she wants to achieve.
“My goals for the rest of the season are to run under 12 seconds in the 100 and beat my indoor personal best in the 200,” Minning said.
The team will compete this weekend at the VertKlasse Meeting at High Point University in North Carolina on March 31 and April 1.
